...[I]ntensive agriculture has delivered cheap pineapples and created a new market...Two US-based multinationals, Del Monte and Dole, dominate the trade, and three-quarters of the pineapples on European shop shelves now come from Costa Rica. Two years ago, the fruit became even cheaper, when it became the focus of a price war...But this is an industry built on environmental degradation and poverty wages...[P]rice cuts appear to have led to an immediate, sometimes brutal deterioration in conditions that were already poor....We asked the owners of Hacienda Ojo de Agua and Del Monte to comment on the water contamination next to their plantations. The Hacienda did not respond, although it has in the past told local press that it hasn't broken any laws. Del Monte said the government was monitoring the situation and that it had stopped using bromacil on its own farm nearby when it bought it in 2008. Del Monte added that it did not use any pesticides banned by the US or the EU, and that it closely managed pesticide use on its contracted farms...We met a group ...[workers] on a large plantation owned by Grupo Acon, a major supplier to Dole, Fyffes, Tesco and Walmart-Asda...Grupo Acon...[said] that strict protocols are in place to deal with any chemical accidents, and are followed. Dole declined to comment on conditions at its supplier. Asda currently takes pineapples from Grupo Acon via Fyffes. Fyffes said it had checked in audits and was satisfied its suppliers had an open attitude to trades unions and and did not refuse to hire union members. Tesco, meanwhile, told us it was actively engaged in improving conditions. "Tesco always looks to ensure high ethical standards among its suppliers...[W]e have brokered an agreement to invite independent labour experts to review labour practices and identify ways to strengthen them. That project is...examining issues including pay, labour relations, seasonal labour and health and safety."